Dead Faith Doesn’t Work

James 2:14–26

Big Idea

At the heart of our passage today is a simple truth:

Faith without works is dead faith. Faith that is alive will always express itself through obedient action.

James does not attack faith—he exposes empty dead faith.  Dead faith doesn’t work on two fronts: it cannot save, and it cannot be proven to exist. What God gives as living faith will always show signs of life.

The Problem with Empty Faith (vv. 14–17)

14What is the benefit, my brethren, if someone says “I have faith” but has no works?  This faith cannot save him.  15If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and in need of food for the day 16and one of you should say to him, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled” but you do not give him what is necessary for the body, what is the benefit?  17So also, faith not having works is dead, being by itself. 

Faith that lives only in words but never moves into action is already dead.

James begins with a sharp question. Notice his wording: if someone says he has faith. The issue is not profession—it is possession. Saying you have faith and actually having faith are not always the same thing.

James presses the point with a very practical illustration:

“If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and in need of food for the day, and one of you says to him, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,’ but you do not give him what is necessary for the body, what is the benefit?” (vv. 15–16)

This is faith reduced to polite religious talk. Warm words. Cold hearts. James asks again: What good is that? The obvious answer is none.

“So also, faith not having works is dead, being by itself.” (v. 17)

Dead faith is isolated faith—faith that exists only in speech, not in action.

What Does James Mean by “Works”?

When we hear the word work, we think of earning a paycheck or performing labor to gain something. That is not what James is talking about.

The Greek word ἔργον (ergon) means deeds, actions, outward expressions.  Sometimes it refers to labor done for wages.  But works do not earn us a place in heaven.  And, works do not create faith; they display faith. A better way to understand v. 17 and what James is saying is:

“Faith without deeds is dead.”

There is a Cause and Effect relationship between living faith and works.  Faith is the cause; works are the effect.

· God speaks → we believe → our lives change.

· Faith comes by hearing the Word (Romans 10:17).

· Works are the visible evidence that faith is alive.

If faith has no activity, if there is no active response to faith, it is invisible—nothing more than talk without substance.

Proving Faith Through Actions (vv. 18–19)

18But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.  Show me the faith apart from works, and I will show from the works my faith.”  19You believe that God is one, you do very well.  Even the demons believe and tremble.

Genuine faith can always be seen, because it inevitably expresses itself through obedient deeds.

“Show me the faith apart from works, and I will show from the works my faith.” (v. 18)

James issues a challenge that still stands today. Faith cannot be displayed in a vacuum.

Works are the barometer of faith’s health.

“You believe that God is one—you do very well. Even the demons believe and tremble.” (v. 19)

This is sobering. Demons have orthodox theology. They believe true things about God—but their belief produces fear, not obedience. Their belief never leads to repentance, love, or submission.

Dead faith is not unbelief—it is belief without transformation.

Paul says in Ephesians 2:8 that we are saved by grace through faith. James agrees. But James adds clarity: faith that never moves, never acts, never obeys is not saving faith at all.

Dead faith doesn’t work—and it won’t save you.`

Clearing Up the Faith vs. Works Debate

Works do not save us, but saving faith always works.  It reveals itself through a transformed life.

Since the Protestant Reformation, many have argued about faith and works. Martin Luther rightly rejected the idea that salvation could be earned through good deeds or religious payments.

Scripture is clear:

· We are saved by grace alone

· through faith alone

· in Christ alone

James does not contradict this. He complements it.

· Paul answers the question: How is a sinner made right with God?

· James answers the question: What kind of faith actually saves?

Works do not earn salvation—but they prove its reality.  Ignoring what we do (or fail to do) by thinking it unimportant is not spiritual maturity inspired by grace; it is self-deception.

What Living Faith Looks Like (vv. 20–26)

Living faith trusts God deeply enough to obey Him, even when obedience is costly or risky.

20Now I want you to know, O foolish man, that faith separate from works is dead.  21Abraham our father was justified by works offering up Isaac, his son upon the altar.  22You see that faith was engaged together with the works and by the works, faith was completed.  23Thus was fulfilled the Scripture which says, “Now Abraham believed God, and this was calculated in his favor as righteousness and he was called the friend of God.” (Genesis 15:6). 24You see that by works a person is justified and not by faith alone.

James now gives two powerful examples of living faith.

Abraham: Obedient Faith (vv. 21–24)

When telling the story of Abraham, James does not point to Genesis 15, when Abraham believed God and was declared righteous. Instead, he points to Genesis 22—about 30 years later.  God had fulfilled His promise. Isaac was about 9 or 10 years old.  

Then God tested Abraham:

“Take your son, your only son, whom you love…and offer him.”

Abraham obeyed. Why? – tell what Abraham said to his servants…

Hebrews 11 confirms Abraham believed that God would even raise Isaac from the dead. His faith in God’s promises produced obedience—even when it was costly.

“Faith was engaged together with the works, and by the works faith was completed.” (v. 22)

Abraham’s works did not create his faith—they completed it. They brought his faith to maturity.

B. Rahab: Risking Faith (v. 25)

Rahab believed in the God of Israel based on what she had heard. But she did not stop at just believing (I know God has given you this land).  Her faith took action.

25Now likewise also was not Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by a different way?

She hid the spies. She risked her life. She acted on what she believed.

Her faith was visible, costly, and courageous. And God counted her among His people.

The Final Picture (v. 26)

“For just as the body without spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.”

Faith is the body (the substance of things hoped for – Heb 11:1). Works are the breath (I will show you my faith by my works). Without breath, there is no life.

V. Living It Out Faith Today:

Faith stays alive when it is exercised daily through intentional, obedient action.

Check Your Barometer Take an honest look at your self. Where does your faith show up in real decisions—money, stress, relationships, obedience?

Help the Brother or Sister in Need Don’t settle for kind words. Look for a practical way this week to meet a real need.

Obey in the Tests God Brings God tests our trust—not to harm us, but to mature us. Ask: What does obedience look like right now?

Be Like Rahab Living faith often requires courage. Step in to difficult situations with trust when it would be easier to step back.

Avoid the Demon Trap Head knowledge alone is not faith. Let God’s Word move you toward action.

Grace Over Guilt If your faith feels stagnant, don’t despair. Confess it. Receive grace. Take the next obedient step.

Conclusion

· Dead faith makes no difference, but living faith proves God is truly at work in us.

· Living faith is not perfect—but it is active. It moves. It obeys. It loves.

· Dead faith doesn’t work. Living faith does—because God is at work in us.